355 Challenge Grill

I have an OME 355 Ferrari Challenge grill in my garage that I have not installed on my 1998 355. How difficult is it to install? Where could I get a digram of the connectors on the original installed grill? Any instructions??

Thanks of all insight!!

 

Fairly straightforward to remove. Some of the outer nuts are hard to get to, but doable. You may have to drill out rivets for the upper trim that must come off first. Place some tape on the bumper up under the grill so you don't scratch the paint when removing it. I have some pics at home I believe of the removal when I did mine, if I remember I will post them later...

 

This is what I used to do it, and if took me about an hour. If I can do it, anyone can:

http://www.the355.com/mambo/content/view/34/29/

Also, there are two rivets you will have on your car, that were not on mine (because the 95's like I have did not have these rivets, but any 5.2 96 and onwards 355 did):

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287969&highlight=Challenge+Rear+Grille

Just give yourself two hours, uninterrupted, note how things are coming off, and then put them back on the in reverse order.

R

 

If you are in the Los Angeles area bring it by and I will help you to get it done.

 

IME 1/4" Drive tools made for an easy disassemble. I used a 2mm drill bit and kept the air gun beside me to blow away any excess material that could come in contact with anything. I do wonder if a "Step" type bit would work well for this now that I've spoke to a Custom Motorcycle Painter at my local 3M, Megs, PPG supplier? I'm working a paint correction on a 99 F1 Spider along with a complete recondition ; therefore I'm cleaning, polishing, restoring , and protecting everything I wouldn't normally be able to reach without very precise detailing tools(or get to at all. I.e. Polishing the fasteners and any other intricate items). I usually Debadge F-Cars I almost always Debadge F-Cars b/c its a simple thing to perform with a few fasteners(Not applicable on many other high end autos. Some guys will just polish(buff) right over the prancing horse leaving it marred and wax residue all over the Horses mane(sorry, thst just disturbs me)! For example; on said Ferrari when i took off the front grille, the screws were covered in polish/wax residue that on much of the screws most likely dated back to 1999( I have to find a way to measure and/or date stamp how long wax residue in cracks and crevices has been there; lime carbondating). Sorry for getting off topic. O.K, So I haven't installed the new Challenge Grille yet, but I've seen plenty of them on 355's(never on a triple black as in said Ferrari, but I've seen them on Yellow 355's, Red, Etc.)and I believe their tasteful. The owner wants me to still correct(abrade, polish, protect) the original piece so he can have it framed via shadow box with my signature on it. I thought that was a wonderful offer; if I only knew where to locate some rear lights?(those are staying on the car). That would look really nice hanging up on the wall in my new facilities; even if I just had the lenses and could retrofit some LED lighting. I could then suspend it over the relaxing area on the deck area of the loft( sort of hard to envision what I see it looking like; but I'll be sure to post when the time comes.) FWIW having the right tools, even if you have to make a good investment in some is essential IMO when working on the higher end motorcars and exotics.